Autism is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders. It is a developmental disorder of the brain that develops in the early childhood. This condition causes impairment of social interaction and communication as well as unusual behaviors and interests.

ASD begins before the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person’s life. It can occur in any racial, ethnic and socio-economic groups and is four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls.

Symptoms

The child exhibits a wide range of behaviors and abilities. Social impairments are one of the main problems in all of the autism spectrum disorders.

People with autism have hard time to understand gestures, body language or voice. They also may not show interest in other people and always show a poor response to other people’s need also. They usually prefer to be alone. They have a hard time in sharing and playing with other children and the other children also become unwilling to share or play with them due to their poor social interaction.

They also develop some kind of self stimulatory behaviors and don’t understand much about others feelings or gestures nor do they respond properly in turn.

The child also shows a pattern of repetitive behavior with restricted interests.

Causes

The exact cause of autism is still unknown. In case of a child with autism, the cells and connections in the brain gets damaged or poorly developed due to some unknown reason.

And this causes autism in Children. Scientists are still trying to understand why and how this happens.

Treatment

There is no exact cure for autism. The main stay of treatment comprise the behavioral therapy along with specific education to treat the main symptoms – such as the impaired social interaction, problems with verbal or non-verbal communication and to stay off from repetitive movements or actions.

The earlier, the treatment is started for the kid, the better the kid will feel in the future.

The extend of treatment varies according to each child, but teaching how to communicate is an important first step.

Therapist also help kids learn social skills such as how to greet people, wait for a turn, to stand in a queue, to follow directions and for some kids they need special training to learn how to brush and how to bath etc.

Children with mild autism can go to a regular school. While those with severe symptoms can be assisted with special support, Care givers, Doctors and Teachers.